Reply to: Roman Polanski arrested in Switzerland over sex with underage girl

[Paddy]

The prurient hounding of Roman Polanski is over at last | Agnes Poirier | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

The question today is really this: how did we get to this Kafka-esque situation whereby a man who had already served time in prison for a crime he admitted committing suddenly finds himself arrested again by overzealous authorities in a foreign land, sent to prison, then confined to house arrest for nine months, 33 years after the facts? "But he fled justice!" Polanski's detractors would reply. As admirably shown in the rigorous documentary made in 2008 by American director Marina Zenovich – Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired – in 1978, Roman Polanski simply had the guts to flee the iniquitous justice of the Los Angeles court and celebrity-obsessed Judge Rittenband, whose gross misconduct is today officially acknowledged by all.

Polanski never claimed not to have had unlawful sexual intercourse with the 13-year-old Samantha Geimer. He indeed pleaded guilty. He also came back from Europe to be assessed by psychiatrists and serve a 90-day sentence in prison agreed by all parties. He only fled when he discovered that the judge wanted to go back on his word.

[threaded]

Not correct. He was remanded in custody (or whatever the US equivalent is) for the purpose of a pre-sentencing psychiatric evaluation, spending forty-two days there. He was then released on bail pending a hearing at which sentence would be passed but fled the country before that hearing.

Nah, that is the crux of the story: the Swiss court wanted to see the paperwork from the American court where this version of events is given, but the yanks won't, 'cause it probably doesn't exist. The Swiss decided therefore to go with Polanski's copies of the paperwork from the American court that show he has already served his time.

[NickFitz]

The question though is more complex: get off what exactly?

He was sentenced and served his sentence.

The judge then changed his mind and tried to up the sentence, but he'd already left the country after serving his original term.

Which is basically why the Swiss have released him: he's already served his time.

Not correct. He was remanded in custody (or whatever the US equivalent is) for the purpose of a pre-sentencing psychiatric evaluation, spending forty-two days there. He was then released on bail pending a hearing at which sentence would be passed but fled the country before that hearing.

[threaded]

Agreed.

He'll get off though.

The question though is more complex: get off what exactly?

He was sentenced and served his sentence.

The judge then changed his mind and tried to up the sentence, but he'd already left the country after serving his original term.

Which is basically why the Swiss have released him: he's already served his time.

[sunnysan]

RP

As predicted, although he didn't 'get off', the little weasel gets to keep his liberty because the spineless clock makers refused to extradite him.

Gary Glitter must be fuming!



Interesting, I wonder what Swiss national interests would benefit from having this pedo at large.

I think a few million "national interests" would have done it.

[Clippy]

Agreed.

He'll get off though.

As predicted, although he didn't 'get off', the little weasel gets to keep his liberty because the spineless clock makers refused to extradite him.

Gary Glitter must be fuming!

The Swiss government declared Polanski a free man on Monday after rejecting the US extradition request.

The Swiss said US authorities failed to provide confidential testimony about Polanski's original sentencing procedure.

The Justice Ministry also said that national interests were taken into consideration in the decision.

Interesting, I wonder what Swiss national interests would benefit from having this pedo at large.

[TiroFijo]

support for him seems to be on the wane
The french and polish governments and several prominant actors think he should go and face trial

He's not going to face a trial, that's been and done and he was foumd guilty which he admitted through a plea bargain (which means he was probably guilty of other stuff too). If he goes back he will be sentenced not tried. Remember he skipped the country while awaiting sentencing.

[Spacecadet]

He drugged a thirteen year old girl, had sex with her and then done her up the wrong 'un as well. Was convicted and did a runner.

Nice chap!

support for him seems to be on the wane
The french and polish governments and several prominant actors think he should go and face trial

[Alf W]

Still don't understand what he has done wrong!!!

He drugged a thirteen year old girl, had sex with her and then done her up the wrong 'un as well. Was convicted and did a runner.

Nice chap!

[BrilloPad]

Is rape and sodomy legal in the Vatican?

I thought it was compulsary.

[daviejones]

Still don't understand what he has done wrong!!!

[TriggerHippy]

Not according to Wikipedia,

Looks like Wikipedia is wrong - Utah, Hawaii and Nevada list the age as 14.

[crack_ho]

Oddly enough, if he'd done the deed in the Vatican, it would have been quite legit - the age of consent there being 12. The US has different ages for each state, ranging from 14 to 18.

Is rape and sodomy legal in the Vatican?

[Platypus]

The US has different ages for each state, ranging from 14 to 18.

Not according to Wikipedia,

The age of consent in Canada is 16 and all US states set their limits between 16 and 18

[TriggerHippy]

!! She was 13! It was one person in love with a child and a child in 'love' with a kiddie fiddler. There are lines you don't cross. One of them should be doing kids. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to apply to Polanski and his supporters

Oddly enough, if he'd done the deed in the Vatican, it would have been quite legit - the age of consent there being 12. The US has different ages for each state, ranging from 14 to 18.